Dinapigue Mining Provides Healthcare Access to Dumagat IPs
Dinapigue, Isabela - The Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation based in Dinapigue, Isabela organized a medical and dental mission for the Dumagat Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of Dinapigue on August 17, 2022.
The medical and dental mission provided needed healthcare to the IPs and residents of Dinapigue who have difficulty availing medical care due to the remoteness of the area.
“Para sa akin po, malaking bagay ito, kasi para sa aming nasa malayo, sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, madalang nangyayari. Kaya malaking pribilehiyo sa katulad kong mga Dinapigueno ang ganitong mga event,’ said Benedict C. Candido, Punong Barangay of Dibulo.
The beneficiaries received health assessment prior to their medical consultation or dental extractions. A total of 247 IPs and non-IP residents benefitted from the medical and dental mission, of which 171 received medical consultations while 76 opted for dental care.
The medical team is composed of five volunteer healthcare workers from Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC) Family and Community Health Division headed by Dr. Nezzer Soriano. The dental team on the other hand, was comprised of five volunteer dentists from Unciano College of Dentistry headed by Dr. Yoya C. Tarriela, Former President of the Philippine Dental Hygienists’ Association.
“Our dental team has been doing this for the past six years already. What makes this dental mission interesting for us is that this is our first time ever tying up with a mining company but nonetheless, there’s the usual experience of giving back and paying it forward. The IPs were so appreciative of the help that we gave and them giving us a pat on the back and saying thank you gave us all a feeling of fulfillment,” said Dr. Tarriela.
Funded through the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility budget, the Medical and Dental Mission is the first event of its kind organized since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
Edicia I. Vetriolo, a member of the Digumased tribe who benefitted from the Medical and Dental Mission said “Sobrang naaappreciate naming ang mga medical mission na ganito, lalong-lalo na kaming mga IP.” – with reports from Darien Mitchell C. Bas/Dinapigue Mining Corporation
